Integrated Transport

The EMRC works to facilitate integrated transport planning initiatives to provide an efficient, safe and integrated regional transport network and delivers a number of initiatives to support this goal. The provision of an efficient and safe transport network in Perth's Eastern Region is a critical issue for both local and state government, particularly with the predicted population and transport growth for Perth in the future. In 2016/2017, the EMRC delivered a number of key initiatives in the areas of road safety, public transport and active transport.

Directions Zero: A Regional Road Safety Plan for Perth's Eastern Region was developed in November 2015 to support, assist and advocate for the development of a fatality and serious injury free road network. The plan takes into account all six member councils and includes five key focus areas: Safe Road Use, Safe Roads and Roadsides, Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles and Road Safety Planning and Governance. These key focus areas align with those set out in the Federal and State Governments' road safety strategies.

In mid-2011 the State Government released a draft strategic document, Public Transport Plan for Perth 2031, that outlined public transport network expansion in Perth. The plan identified two main rapid public transport routes within Perth's Eastern Region, namely Perth Airport and Ellenbrook. To investigate rapid public transport routes further, Curtin University continued an existing partnership with the EMRC to undertake additional research on these routes exploring existing and potential land development along the proposed routes and community and stakeholder appetites for development associated with rapid public transport. The research which concluded in September 2015 identified three rapid transit corridor routes: Airport to Forrestfield; Ellenbrook; and Midland to Mundaring.

The EMRC conducted a transport community engagement survey in early 2016 to receive community input on Road Safety, Active Transport and Public Transport in Perth's Eastern Region with the intention for the results to provide direction for future projects. The top three road safety issues identified for the region were driver distraction, safe passing / distances / merging and speeding. The top three initiatives to encourage bicycle riding were improved relationship between road users, more recreational bike trails and more bicycle parking rails at local shops and cafes. In addition, the EMRC has initiated an advocacy campaign aimed at bringing the Your Move program, a collaboration between the Department of Sport and Recreation, the Department of Transport and the EMRC, into the region.

The EMRC recently launched the Share the Space campaign, aimed at encouraging predictable and courteous behaviours and discouraging distractions while walking, cycling and driving on our roads, shared paths, trails and footpaths. The campaign included promoting the webpage (available here), radio advertising and ‘bus back’ advertising. The feature of the campaign is a series of videos showing Stevie, a character representing a typical community member who most of the time does the right thing. Sometimes however, Stevie needs a little help sharing the space. Watch the videos on sharethespace.com.au.

In preparation for redevelopment of the Regional Integrated Transport Strategy the EMRC contracted a consultant to undertake research and consultation including the region's strengths, opportunities, potential barriers and possible focus areas best served by a regional approach. The Regional Integrated Transport Research Advisory Paper was developed through extensive desktop research, regional profiling and consultation with member councils, the Regional Integrated Transport Strategy Implementation Advisory Group and other key stakeholders.

Regional Integrated Transport Strategy 2017 - 2021

The EMRC's Regional Integrated Transport Strategy 2017 - 2021 was adopted by Council on 16 February 2017.